Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window, with a fee of £116million reported, though sources close to Forest claim the deal is worth £130m. The transfer will make Anderson the most expensive British player of all time.
Manchester United's Withdrawal
Manchester United effectively pulled out of the race to sign Anderson when City's opening, lofty bid was rejected due to the cost involved. They have since moved on to alternative targets. United CEO Omar Berrada warned the club would move away from targets if the financials didn't make sense.
"We have to be really disciplined, it's simple. We have a plan, we know what we can invest, and we have to stick to that," Berrada said on the club's in-house podcast. "In some cases, we may decide to make an investment knowing it's the right thing for not just the next two or three years, but the next 10 years. But clearly, we need to stay very focused on what we're trying to achieve. It's very important that you don't let the market or the agents dictate."
Alternative Targets
United viewed Mateus Fernandes as an attainable, quality alternative, with his data from last season comparing well to Anderson. Fernandes won more tackles and made more accurate switches of play, and was not far behind on ground duels won, possessions won, and possessions won in the defensive third. However, Tottenham have entered the race for Fernandes, who is valued at £85m by West Ham after their relegation.
United have a list of midfield alternatives, but the further they work down that list, the lower the quality. The club is prepared to spend on a marquee midfield signing, but the deal must represent fair value. An £85m fee for a player with back-to-back relegations on his CV highlights market inflation.
Future Moves
Germany international Felix Nmecha is also on United's radar, and Borussia Dortmund have shown a willingness to sell key players. The new financial year for clubs is a week away, meaning cards are about to be played. How United react to Tottenham's interest in Fernandes will be a true test of their disciplined approach.
